Devereaux Peters

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It could be said that five games into the season might be a bit premature to celebrate the 2014 Minnesota Lynx. I disagree. The defending WNBA champions picked up where they left off last season and are off to another fast start in pursuit of their third title in four years. Coach Cheryl Reeve has the ultimate challenge this year. All-Star Rebekkah Brunson, the team’s leading rebounder, and key reserves Monica Wright and Devereaux Peters all had knee surgery before the season and have not played yet. Continue Reading →

There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the 2013-14 school and sports year, the MSR will highlight these players. This week: Freshman center Amanda Zahui B.

After sitting out last season after arriving at the University of Minnesota, one might think homesickness could be a common reoccurrence for Swedish-born Amanda Zahui B. But she says it’s not so: “I’ve been by myself since I was 15. I’m used to being away from my family,” the 6’-5” redshirt freshman center tells us. Despite her Patti Labelle declaration of being on her own, Zahui still misses her family. Continue Reading →

Monday was a special day a day of celebration for the WNBA Champion Minnesota Lynx. Since 1978, I have covered sports with great distinction in this town, and days like Monday are rare indeed, the community coming together to celebrate being number one. It does not happen often; winning is easier said than done. The Twins, led by the late Kirby Puckett, brought home championships in 1987 and 1991, and the Lynx in 2011 won it all the first time. As they say, that’s all folks. Continue Reading →

The 2013 WNBA season opened last weekend in Dickensian fashion — great expectations. “I think this is the most anticipated season for me,” proclaims ESPN analyst and former WNBA coach/general manager Carolyn Peck. SB Nation’s Nate Parham analyzed each W club, in 25 words or less, by conference, beginning with the East:

[New coach Mike Thibault] “will make a huge difference” in Washington, but unresolved ball-handling issues may prove too much. Atlanta still is Angel McCoughtry’s team, but point guard might be a problem. This year’s second overall pick, Elena Delle Donne, will help Chicago, but can the Sky overcome the early absence of star guard Epiphanny Prince, who contractually must play in Russia in June? Continue Reading →

The WNBA last week did a Buddy Miles “Them Changes” and announced several new moves for the upcoming season.

W draft in prime time

After years of having their annual draft shown during daytime soap opera hours, the 2013 WNBA Draft will be shown for the first time next spring in prime time. ESPN2 will show the first round at 7 pm Central time on Monday, April 15. The second and third rounds then will be shown on ESPNU. Both league and network officials cite the historic change due to an anticipated star-studded first round that is expected to include Baylor center Brittney Griner and Notre Dame guard Skylar Diggins. Continue Reading →

Devereaux Peters was drafted third overall in the 2012 WNBA Draft in April by the Minnesota Lynx. Despite being injury-prone, she’s proved herself ready to play thus far. At Notre Dame, Peters had two knee injuries and three surgeries in her first three seasons. “In the women’s game, [previous injuries] can play a part. I tried not to concentrate on that and just work on getting back to the college game,” she recalls. Continue Reading →

Throughout her doctoral work, Texas A&M Assistant Sport Management Professor Akilah R. Carter-Francique found that there wasn’t as much research done on how Black women cope with stress or stressful situations. In response, she created a survey to act as a foundation for her own research. “What I began to see in the literature — or rather not see — was discussions on Black women. So I went into my study more exploratory than trying to determine what is going on with Black women today,” recalls Carter-Francique. Through the use of a survey, she asked several female athletes at her school to share their experiences with racial stereotyping and discrimination situations. Continue Reading →

The 2012 Minnesota Lynx training camp opened last week with eight rookies vying for possibly two spots on the 11-player regular season roster. Only one of these first-year players — Devereaux Peters, the club’s 2012 top draft pick — is all but assured one of the spots. That leaves just one spot still to fill. Guard Porsche Poole, who just a couple of months ago completed her four collegiate playing years at Michigan State, is one of those remaining rookies in the “longshot” mix. A 5-8 shooting guard who set career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals in her senior season, Poole is competing for a backup point guard spot. Continue Reading →

I get into the WNBA annual draft the same way I used to get into the NBA draft before it became nothing more than too many annually selected players long on potential but very short on stardom. The W draft prospects are four-year seniors, matured players. But like any draft, some will be busts — one (training camp) and done. Nonetheless, I enjoy watching these women college basketball players play below the rim, sizing them up. Sadly though, to find any local male media type who’ll discuss the three-round April 16 WNBA Draft with the same seriousness with which I approach it is a virtual no-go. Continue Reading →